Instant Alert: Apple's iPhone slowdown controversy is now being investigated by France's consumer fraud watchdog

MANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS   |   UNSUBSCRIBE   |   VIEW ONLINE   Apple's iPhone slowdown controversy is now being investigated by France's consumer fraud watchdog by on Jan 8, 2018, 7:20 PM Advertisement A French agency in charge of policing consumer fraud has opened up a preliminary investigation into whether Apple engages in planned obsolescence of its products. The investigation follows a legal complaint filed by a French consumer group. The investigation and legal complaint are in response to Apple's acknowledgement that it slows the processors in some older iPhones. PARIS — A French prosecutor has launched a preliminary investigation of Apple over alleged deception and planned obsolescence of its products following a complaint by a consumer organization, a judicial source said Monday.  The investigation, opened on Friday, will be led by French consumer fraud watchdog DGCCRF, part of the Economy Ministry, the source said. Apple acknowledged last month that it takes some measures to reduce power demands — which can have the effect of slowing the processor — in some older iPhone models when a phone's battery is having trouble supplying the peak current that the processor demands. The French watchdog's preliminary investigation could take months, and depending on its findings, the case could be dropped or handed to a judge for an in-depth investigation. Under French law, companies risk fines of up to 5% of their annual sales for deliberately shortening the life of their products to spur demand to replace them. An Apple spokeswoman in the United States declined to comment on the French investigation, pointing to a December 28 statement in which the company apologized over its handling of the battery issue and said it would never do anything to intentionally shorten the life of any Apple product. An Apple spokesman in France could not immediately be reached for comment. A French consumer association called "HOP" — standing for "Stop Planned Obsolescence" — filed a legal complaint against Apple. Apple already faces lawsuits in the United States over accusations of defrauding iPhone users by slowing down devices without warning to compensate for poor battery performance. Apple also said on December 28 it was slashing prices for battery replacements and would change its software to show users whether their phone battery was good. SEE ALSO: Apple apologizes for slowing down iPhones with older batteries   Share the latest business news with your network:    Email sent to: nguyenvu1187.love5@blogger.com   |   Manage your email preferences   |   Unsubscribe Terms of Service   |   Privacy Policy Business Insider. 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011